The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1887-09-09
SUNSTROKE.
TIMELY HINTS ON A DANGER
Gus SUBJECT.
How sunstroke May be Produced
Its Usual symptoms and
Treatment - Canses of
the Affection.

Sunstroke, says doctor in tie New
York Herald, is not confined to tropical
regions. New York and other Northern
cities suffer from it yearly.
At certain seasons the number of cases.
IN proportion to the population. far ex-
ceeds that of the more tropical towns.
1t IS worthy of remark that natives Of
southern ATTITUDES state that they often
suiler much more from the effects of the
transient heat OF more northern places
than from much higher temperature at
home.
SpOrtsmen in India constantly expose
themselves in the hottest weather when
IN pursuit of game. Those who use rca-
sonable precautions, who protect the head
and spine by headdress adapted for the
purpose, wear loose clothing of a suitable
material and abstain from stimulants.
rarely suffer from sunstToke.
Sunstroke does not depend upon
short exposure to the direct RAYS of the
sun; the exposure must have been con-
tinued for day or two; nor does it nee
essarily arise from solar heat.
Prolonged confinement in the heated
atmosphere of building may likewise
produce it, thus among workmen in su
gar reiineries, laundries, engine rooms of
steamships or among troops in the poorly
ventilated tween decks of transport
ships in the tropics many cases have &C
CURED.
While long continued heat is the excit-
ing cause of this terrible affection, other
things are important as accessories.
Working in lily ventilated apartments is
one Of these. The wearing Of warm and
tight clothing, by which the natural
process OF cooling the body by evapora-
ton and radiation from its surface are
hindered, is another of these accessories.
Prolonged bodily exertion, especially if
added to the foregoing conditions, will
precipitate an attack
About the third or fourth dav from
the commencement of heated term. sun
strokes usually begin to appear, the suf-
ferer in most cases having been exposed
to the heat for some days previous to the
attack Persons of incorporate habits |
and debilitated systems are most liable to
attack
FIRST SYMPTOMS OF STROKE.
There are various grades or manifesto
tons of sun-stroke. Some simply COM
plain Of intense weakness and pain in the
head. Others are stupid and wandering. |
while complete insensibility accompanies /
the great majority of cases.
A threatening attack NAV manifest it. I
self by hot and dry skin, giddiness,
congestion of the eyes, extreme debility,
nausea and frequent desire 10 miciu-
rate. After longer or shorter continu-
ance of such symptoms, insensibility SUI
pervenes, the heat and dryness of the !
skin increase, the breathing is quick and (
noisy, the pupils contract, and the heart
acts tumultuously
The disease may prove fatal in n few I
minutes. or the symptoms may last from
one to forty-eight hours, and eventuate |
in recovery. When recovery takes place |
certain sequelae appears in a consider |
able proportion of cases. These are of !
nervous character, as persistent head |
ache, muscular spasms, epileptic fits and |
mental weakness.
There is another variety of sunstroke /
in which the weight of the attack seems
to be chiefly expended on the heart. In
these cases, though it is probable that the
sufferer himself is conscious of some pre-
Enopitory symptoms, there is seldom time
for their full development SO rs to at
tract the attention of bystanders before
the individual falls gasps and in some
severe cases expires before there is time
TO do much or anything for his recovery.
In these cases the heat of the skin is not
so extreme, the countenance is pale and
the breathing is signing Or gasping; all /
the symptoms point to exhaustion as the
overwhelming condition present.
TREATMENT.
A person overcome by the heat should
be at once removed to a shady and /
breezy spot if possible or to q cool room
by an open window. The clothes should I
be stripped off and stream of cold water
poured over the body. The vessel con-
tanning the liquid should be held four or
five feet above the patient, in order that
he may receive the benefit of the shock.
The stream of water should first be
directed on the head, then on the chest
and abdomen, and again and again, and
should be kept up until consciousness re
turns. Ice may likewise be applied to
the head and armpits. Injections of ice
water into the rectum may be of use. The
one controlling indication is to reduce as
quickly as possible the temperature of
the blood.
In the more rare cases of heart failure.
which have been described, this use of
cold water would be injurious. The skin
affords a sign by which to Judge in these
cases; if it is cold, these douches are to
be avoided, and strong stimulants, like
ammonia and alcohol, are to lie used in
stead.
In all cases internal medication is use
full. Among the numerous drugs en-
ployed bromide of potassium has been
found most efficient. From ten TO thirty
grains every half hour, according to the
gravity Of the case, may be given until
the threatening symptoms disappear